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Summary of Question:	Can A Sikh Marry A Christian?
Category:	Love & Marriage
Date Posted:	Thursday, 8/22/2002 3:01 PM MDT

Dear Sir,

I was born Christian; however, I am unhappy with organized religions in general. Rather, I believe in "God" or "a Power" or whatever you want to call it.

I also believe that ALL religions believe in the same "God." I like the analogy to the mountain top, where "God" is at the peak and all the religions are just different paths up to the peak. The problem with organized religions seems to be that each one fails to have any perspective of the peak as a whole and sees their limited perspective of their "path" as the only acceptable way to "God" or enlightenment."

I like that the scriptures of the Sikh religion are teach acceptance of all religion as was my understanding when I read a translations of Verses of the Sikh Gurus (selections from the Guru Granth (please excuse spelling)).

The problem I seem to see; however, is that in practice, Sikhs tend to not marry outside fo their religion (let alone their "sect" (jut, etc . . .)). This seems against the teachings and the main crux of the original mission of Guru Nanak who saw the folly in the caste system and the heavy weight placed upon the differences b/w Hindus and Muslims.

If I meet a sikh girl and love her, believe in the same "peak," and live a good and honest life which coincidentally follows the teaching of Sikhism (w/o the 5 Ks), why then would the community as a whole shun such a marriage.

My belief is that too many people have a limited perspective of only "their path to the peak" and it would take a true and enlightened person to be able to observe someone's soul and know their true goodness and ope and honest nature. Many others would just follow the societal norms and succomb to the short-sided social pressures of their family and neighborhood.

In sum, my question is "What reasons should prevent a Sikh to marry a Christian if they are in love."

I thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question,

A true believer in enlightenment and the equality of all things.


(REPLY) Sat Nam (that means" Truth is your identity" [and mine, too!]) yes, we are all one in the spirit, and you have beautifully expressed the universal consciousness of Guru Nanak and expanded upon by his successors. To try to give you a perspective on your question, marriage for most people is not just the relationship between the husband and wife, but involves families (especially in the Indian culture) and the question of raising children who need the security of both parents practicing the same religion. (As far as the caste question, it is totally outdated, undesirable, and, you are right, against the teachings of our Guru, yet unfortunately many families are still bound by the old ways of thinking.) Sikh Dharma is a way of life, and the 5 K's are reminders for us to live up to the principles of our faith. There is a power in practicing Sikh Dharma, it is a religion of experience, and to experience it, you have to practice it, that means being with the Sadh Sangat (the congregation) attending Gurdwaras if possible, so that you can be in the presence of the vibrations of the recitation of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Sharing these practices makes a marriage stronger and elevates it to the "two bodies with one soul" that is the ideal. If all Christians lived up to the highest virtues and values taught by Christ, and if all Sikhs lived up to the highest virtues taught by the Gurus, and if all Buddhists lived up to the values taught by Buddha -- it would be a wonderful, ideal world! You understand what I'm saying? Religion in the old Piscean sense is changing as we move into the Aquarian Age. Universal Truth is the goal of all religions, but different people are suited to different ways to attain that goal. I hope this helps somewhat. God bless you, SP